Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was president of the United States from 1981 to 1989 and a major figure in the final phase of the Cold War.

He:

took a hard line against the Soviet Union
called the USSR an “evil empire”
supported anti-Soviet forces in the Soviet-Afghan War
promoted the SDI
worked directly with Mikhail Gorbachev in late Cold War diplomacy

Significance

Reagan combined military pressure with later negotiation. His relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev helped produce major arms-control agreements and contributed to the end of the Cold War. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} :contentReference[oaicite:2]